I know [url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/rugby_league/3629030/Sam-Tomkins-admits-he-has-not-ruled-out-a-switch-to-rugby-union.htmlthis[/url is from the Sun, so a huge spadeful of salt goes with it, but he is 'quoted' so generally that comes with a bit more credibility that it has actually been said.

Even as a Saints fan, I'd take no pleasure in Tomkins taking the 30 pieces of silver, but having said that I don't begrudge players taking whatever lucrative deals come their way, it's a short career and who would turn down a pay rise generally?

What galls me is when players are under contract (a lengthy one in Tomkins' case) and don't dismiss these types of questions with a 'All I care about is playing for (insert team here)".

The "who knows" response always seems like a thinly veiled flirtation with the other side.

Not a chance, he is Wigan through and through. Probably his agent thinking about future deals in RL. I doubt he would ever leave. I could accept him going to the NRL though.

Did he really say that? After his recent comments regarding chris ashton and rugby union, I cant see that being a true statement...

I don't know if that level of loyalty exists anymore - if RU could double his pay, you still think he'd choose RL?

What player in any sport as not used " who knows" when asked about there future plans ?

Who knows?

As I've said, they've written it as a direct quote so it does carry a bit more credibility than a glib 'Tomkins is thought to be mulling over a future in RU'.

Money talks. They have it, we don't.

Jamie Carragher.

And you have read and listened to all his interviews over his long career have you.

Sounds like he was asked a question about possibly considering a switch to rugby union in the future and he's given an honest answer. I'm sure he would consider it at some point. Plenty of rugby league players would. I don't think it's much of a story, but that's what you get with the Sun.

I'm absolutely sure that's what it is.

But wouldn't you rather RL players, given our position in the media as the supposed inferior code, simply rebuff those questions to give the lazy journos nothing to work with?

It would hardly hinder them moving into RU at a later date, would it?

"We're not signing him, he once told the Sun he was concentrating on his Castleford career..."

Depends if he thinks he could enjoy it.

No, but I do know that, in 2005, when asked about his future on Sky Sports he didn't respond with a "who knows". He firmly pinned his colours to the Liverpool mast.

All I'm saying is, I'd like to see a few more RL players doing the same rather than the "We'll see what happens" line that can and is twisted and impacts negatively on the sport we love.